Conveyer chain



June 18, 1946.

CONVEYER CHAIN Filed July 28, 1944 INvEN FERDINAND H. DALRYMPLEv ATTORN EYS F. H. yDALRYMPLE 2,402,376/ v Patented June 18, 17946 UNITED sTATss PATENT OFFICE 2,402,376 CONVEYER CHAIN Ferdinand H. Dalryrnple, Bedford, Ohio Application Julyj28, 1944, Serial No. 546.943

The particular Vobject of the instant inventionV is to provide a fabricated at top conveyer chain, adaptable to diiferent designs or types ofchain, in which the side bars of the conveyer chain are of integral formation with the at top portions thereof. The flat top may be integral with roller link side bars or with connecting link side bars, or a combination of such integral structures may be utilized to constitute the improved flat top conveyer chain.

The improved design of integrally formed flat top conveyer chain obviates considerable laborA and incidental handling necessary in welding or riveting operations by means of which heretofore the chain side bars have been secured to the top plates.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain means illustrating the improvements in conveyer chains, such disclosed means constituting, however, only a few of the many forms in which the principle of the invention may be embodied.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blanked out part before it is bent into the nal form suitable for nesting with other integrally formed parts to constitute a chain section having integral side bars and top plates;

Figure 2 is an edge view looking at an end of the structure shown in Figure l afterthe structure of Figure 1 has been formed into nal shape;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a section of conveyer chain constituting two chain pitches formed of the improved integral top-plate-side-bar structures, the top pitch showing the top plates integral with roller link side bars, and the bottom pitch showing Vthe top plates integral with connecting link side bars; s

Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary sections taken,A respectively, in the planes indicated by the lines 4-4 and 5 5, Figure '3;

Figure 6 is a plan View illustrating a section of chain in which top plates 'integral with oiset side bars are suitably nested to provide a complete practicable at top structure;

Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating a different 14 claims. (ci. 19e-139) design of nested at tops, the fiat top parts on one side of the chain being integral with roller link side bars, and the at top parts upon the opposite side of the chain being integral with connecting vlink side bars;

Figure 8 is a plan view 4of a chain element formed of an'integral top plate and side bar, similar to theformation shown in the end view of Figure 2, but in Figure 8 the two ends of the vtop plate have been coined or beveled, for a pury pose hereinafter fully explained; and

Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken in the plane indicated by the'line 9 9, Figure 8.

Referring to the annexed drawing, in which the same elements are indicated by the same respective numbers in the several views, the invention is illustrated by reference to several chain designs, some of which have inside roller link side Y, bars and outside overlapping connecting link side |bars, and one of' which is comprised wholly of overlapping offset side bars, which bars, suitably articulated, form mechanism engageable by driving sprockets, which'articulately connected side bars'are integrally formed with platform `plates forming a flat top by means of whichrbottles, jars, cans, etc., are conveyed from station to station through-cleaning, filling, capping, or sealing, and inspection operations to the accumulatingtable or casing machine.

In the form of blank I shown in Figure 1, which, when formed in final shape, illustrated in Figure 2, is designed to be mated with a similar nally formed blank in reverse position, as shown in Figures l3 and 5, to constitute the flat top serving one chain pitch, there is a side section I1 designed for disposition exteriorly laterally of the links forming the length of chain proper on one side of the chain, such side section I1 being substantially equal in length to the chain pitch, together with a narrower intermediate section I2 merging at its outer side into an` end section 2 which section I2 is designed for disposition between the links forming the two sides of the chain `proper and which end section 2 has the length of a suitable side bar and the width of a suitable depth for a side bar. The sections il and I2, when associated with corresponding sections of other similar chain elements, as hereinaftergfully described, form a, continuous plane conveying platform. The element I is blanked out withthe side section 2 having a rpair of longitudinally aligned and spaced holes 3, the distance between whose centers is equal to the chain pitch.

The section I1 of the blank I is designed to be oneof the top plates or platforms upon one side of the complete chain, and the section I2 of the blank I is designed to extend over and substantially between the opposed side bars of the complete chain. Thus, the side section 2 can, when bent into angular formation relative to the intermediate section i2, form a side bar upon the side of the chain opposite to that which is served by the platform section I1. When two of these blanks I are formed into the nal shape shown in Figure 2, and also shown in Figure 8 is a coined or edge-beveled design, and the two forms are mated in reverse position, as shown for two such mated pairs in Figure 3, they will form a chain section in which the parts I1--I2 form the flat top and the parts 2 form an opposed pair of side bars which, by means of pins 'I passed through the laterally aligned holes 3, can be artlculately secured to laterally adjacent and overlapping side bars. Insofar as the designs shown in Figures 3, 4, and are concerned, if the laterally adjacent side bars are inside or roller link side bars, then the integral iiat top side bar structure is one involving the connecting link side bars. If the laterally adjacentrside bars are outside bars, then the integral flat top side bar structure involves the inside roller link side bars. Both assemblies are shown in FigureB in which, at the top, roller link side bars 5 are integral with the parts 61--62 of the flat top S, and in which, at the bottom, connecting link side bars 2 are integral with flat top portions I1--I2 formed of the blank I.

It will be understood that the only marked difference between having the at top integral with the outer connecting sidebar 2 and having it integral with the inner roller link side bar 5 is that the iiat top made integral with the outer connecting bar 2 would be somewhat longer and, also, if the flat top is made integral with the roller link side bar, the holes 31 of the roller link side bars 5 for accommodation of the articulating pins 'I are blanked out large enough also to accommodate a bushing 8.

In Figure 4 is clearly shown the assembly when the flat tops 5 are integral with the roller link side bars 5. In this case the oppositely opposed pair of roller link side bars 5 are connected together by a pin I passed therethrough, which pin also articulately connects the roller link side bars 5 with an opposed pair of outer overlapping plain connecting link side bars 21. In Figure 5 is clearly shown the assembly when the flat tops I1--I2 are integral with the outer connecting side bars 2. In this case, the outer connecting side bars 2 are connected together by a pin 'I which also articulately connects the bars 2 with the inner overlapping plain roller link side bars 51.

Between the inside roller link side bars, whether the latter are plain links 51 or whether they are integrally formed with top plates 6, is mounted the roller S upon a bushing 8 surrounding the pin I and having its ends seated in the opposed link bars 5 or 51.

Referring particularly to Figure 6, in which the flat tops are formed integrally with a type of side bar which is offset, it will be noted that every link is of the same design, comprising overlapping side bars in which the narrow ends I2 of side bars enclosing a roller assembly, in the form of design shown, are articulately mounted with and between the opposed rectilinear end portions |22 of the bar parts |21 of offset formation. Two designs of flat top plates are integrally formed with the side bars to form a link II, one design II1 having a tapered side portion and having its smaller intermediate flat top portion II2 formed integrally with the bar I2-I21-I22 for the opposite chain side and merging into the wide rectilinear terminal portion |22 of the bar, and the other flat top I I3 having its smaller intermediate part II1 correspondingly tapered and formed integrally with the bar I2---I21--I22 for the other chain side and merging into the tapered portion |21 of the bar, so that in each case the bent sides of the flat tops II1 and II3 extend in planes parallel with the corresponding parts of the offset bar portions |21 to which they are laterally adjacent. Thus, the integrally formed members, of which the flat tops II1 and II3 form respective parts, can be nested, as shown in Figure 6, and each nested pair forms a link I I of a flat top conveyer chain substantially equal in length to the chain pitch. In this structure each integrally formed side bar serves two links II, serving as a roller link side bar at its narrow rectilinear end i2 and serving as a connecting link side bar at its 'wide rectilinear end |22.

Referring to that adaptation of the invention which is shown in Figure 7, an integrally formed structure I5 has a side at top portion |51, and an intermediate flat top portion |52 which is substantially one-half the length of the at top portion |51 and is also of a length substantially equal to the chain pitch. The integrally formed structure I5 which serves one side of the chain also includes a connecting link side bar I6. The integrally formed structure for the opposite side of the chain, which is designated I3, includes a roller link side bar I4 and the same flat top structure I51-I52. Interiorly of the connecting link side bar I6, in the chain formation, are longitudinally aligned plain roller link side bars I7, and overlapping and outside the longitudinally aligned roller link side bars I4 is an overlapping plain connecting link side bar I3. The flat top portion |52 is symmetrically arranged with reference to the transverse edges of the flat top portion |51, which latter, as stated, is twice the length of the iiat top portion |52, so that the integral formations I3 and I5 can be alternately reversed in position, as shown in Figure 7, to form a complete chain section which, as stated, is one in which the nat tops on one side are integral with the roller link bars I4 and the flat tops on the other side are integral with the connecting link bars I5, plain connecting link bars I8 and plain roller link bars I'I being respectively utilized on the opposite sides. As is clearly apparent, this formation effects an arrangement of the chain elements in which the breaks between the contiguous ends of adjacent side portions of the flat tops upon one side of the chain are staggered. relatively to the breaks between the contiguous ends of adjacent flat top side portions upon the opposite side of the chain.

oftentimes, iiat top conveyer chains are provided with coined or beveled ends to permit the chain to slide under cans in the event the production line is stopped while the chain continues in operation. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate an adaptation of the instant invention for this purpose, the integrally formed flat top and side bar structure shown in Figure 8 being similar to that shown in Figure 2, but having beveled ends 4 for the purpose stated.

In addition to the tools required to manufacture standard or plain chain that has no flat top or other attachments, the improved integrally formed nat top conveying chain requires one set of additional tools if the flat tops are integral either with the roller link side bars alone, or the connecting link side bars alone, and two sets of additional tools if part of the integral structures include roller link side bars and the balance of.

the integral structures include connecting link side bars.

What I claim is:

1. An element for chain conveyer which has transversely opposed side bars, comprising a onepiece member having angularly-related portions, one of which portions is a chain side bar formed for articulate connection with longitudinally adjacent side bars, and the other of which portions affords a plane conveying surface, which surface is of materially greater transverse dimension than the distance between opposed conveyer side bars, and, laterally exteriorly of the other conveyer side bar, is of a length at least substantially equal to that of the chain pitch.

2. An element for a chain conveyer which has transversely opposed side bars, comprising a onepiece formation having a side at top portion for disposition exteriorly laterally of a conveyer side' bar and of a longitudinal length at least substantially equal to that of the chain pitch, a fiat top portion for disposition between opposed conveyer side bars, and an angularly-related opposite side portion forming a side bar and having longitudinally spaced holes the distance between whose centers establishes the chain pitch.

3. A conveyer chain having articulated opposed side bars, each side 'bar and an angular integral lateral extension formed therewith being a onepiece member, said extension forming a conveying surface bridging the side bars and projected laterally beyond the opposed side bar to form a continuous platform of longitudinal length at least substantially equal to that of the chain pitch.

4. An element for a chain conveyer which has transversely opposed side bars, comprising an integral formation having a side flat top portion for disposition exteriorly laterally of a side bar, a flat top portion of smaller longitudinal dimension than the side flat top portion for disposition between opposed side bars, and an angularly-related opposite side portion forming a side bar.

5. A strand for a chain conveyer which has transversely opposed side bars formed of elements each having angularly-related integral side portions one of which is a chain side bar formed for articulate connection with longitudinally adjacent side bars and the other of which aords a plane conveying surface, the conveying surfaces respectively integral with opposed side bars mating to form a complete continuous conveying platform.

6. A chain strand formed of elements characterized as in claim 4 and in which the conveying surfaces respectively integral with opposed chain side bars are similar and are mated to form a complete continuous conveying platform.

'7. A chain strand formed of elements characterized as in claim 4 and in which the conveying surfaces respectively integral with opposed chain side bars are similar and are mated, in reverseposition, to form a complete continuous conveying platform.

8. A chain strand formed of elements characterized as in claim 4 and in which the conveying surfaces respectively integral with opposed chain side bars are mated to form a complete continuous conveying platform.

9. A conveyer chain having articulated opposed side bars, each side bar having an angular integral lateral extension forming a conveying surface bridging the side bars and projected laterally beyond the opposed side bar to form a continuous platform, the conveying surfaces of opposed side bars being mated.

10. A plane surface conveyer having opposed articulated chain side bars, the plane conveying surface being broken at the chain pitches and each portion thereof between pitches consisting of two parts, each of said parts being integral with a single side bar and angularly related thereto.

l1. A plane surface conveyer characterized as in claim l0 in which each pair of said parts are mated.

l2. An element characterized as in claim 4 in which the flat top portion for disposition between opposed side bars is inwardly extended from the side flat top portion symmetrically relative to the transverse edges of the latter.

13. A chain formed of elements characterized as in claim 4in which the lonigtudinally adjacent side bars are articulately connected and in which the breaks between longitudinally adjacent side vfiat top portions on one side of the chain are 

